Embracing His Syn, page 21
When they made it back downstairs to interrogation, Sasha’s lawyer was talking quietly with her. All four of them filed into the small room and Syn was itching to put his hands on the woman. He had never struck a woman in his life, he was raised to be an honorable man, but he would shake the fuck out of this one. Sasha needed some sense shaken into her.
She looked at all of them as they took their places. “When can I get out of this room? I’ve been here all morning.”
“When we’re done,” Syn said dryly.
“My client has not been officially charged and she’s been here going on forty-eight hours.”
“I wouldn’t be so eager, counselor. Your client has already confessed,” Ro said, sitting directly in front of the petite attorney. “We’ll get to the charges. But we need to talk with you about where you bought the laced drugs. We may be able to get you a good deal with the DA, if you give us the information on the ecstasy dealer.” Ro softly patted Sasha’s shaking hand. “If you’re cooperative, Ms. McIntyre, the DA will probably let you plead to a lesser charge and drop the attempted vehicular manslaughter.”
“Lady Jay killed those guys, not me. I actually tried to stop her. I didn’t try to kill Furious; I was only trying to scare him. He humiliated me!” Tears were flowing down Sasha’s cheeks. Syn couldn't believe the ease some people had with explaining away their bad behavior. Why did people think breaking the law was no big deal? This woman couldn’t be that damn stupid.
Syn tried not to growl, but when he thought of those headlights barreling toward Furi the other night, he was having a hard time controlling his anger. “Save the tears, princess. No one here is buying it, not even your own fuckin’ lawyer.”
“Excuse me, Sergeant Sydney. But, I don’t–”
“Shut up.” Syn put his hand up cutting off the lawyer’s unwelcome rebuttal. He wasn’t in the mood to hear it. “Give us the name of the X dealer or you’re gonna be up shit creek without a paddle. Look at it this way. Since you’re so anti-cock now, where you’re going there’s a huge goddamn shortage of them.”
Sasha bit on her bottom lip while her lawyer whispered something in her ear. “I can give you Furi’s husband’s name. He paid me to give him Furi’s work and home addresses, because he’s after him. I think he wants to hurt him. He promised the other girls of BTNS that he’d help Lady Jay if they helped him.”
“We already took care of that bastard. I don’t give a fuck about him.” Syn braced his hands on the table. “I just can’t figure out why you agreed to do all this to Furious when he was the only guy who never fucked you. Your little bullshit clique claims to be against men mistreating women, but the one guy that didn’t fuck you over, you went after. Why? Because your Facebook friends laughed at you when he refused to do a movie with you? You wanted him and he wouldn’t touch you with a ten foot pole.”
“Don’t try to act like you know me or what I was thinking,” Sasha hissed at him.
“I do know what you were thinking. I’m the fuckin’ whore whisperer,” Syn bit off nastily. He already knew he’d overstepped when the words tumbled out of his mouth. But this skank tried to hurt someone very important to him. So fuck her.
Sasha’s lawyer gasped, her face turning a bright red. She leveled an angry glare at Syn. “Do I need to get your Captain in here, since your Lieutenants aren’t doing a thing about your misconduct? This has gone beyond any interrogation I’ve ever been a part of. My client doesn’t have to sit here and be ridiculed because of her profession, Sergeant Sydney.”
Syn heaved a disbelieving laugh. “Profession. Seriously, counselor. What the fuck is her degree in? A Bachelor of bitchiness?”
“Sergeant! Outside, now!” God’s abrupt yell startled everyone, but Syn had been expecting it. He was emotionally involved in this case and it was fucking him up. Syn looked up and saw God motioning for him to leave the room with him. Day got up as well. Damn. Syn didn’t say another word. He just jerked the door open and slammed it behind him.
The three of them stood outside the room. Syn was going to try to apologize to his Lieutenants for his inappropriate conduct but God cut him off. “Don’t fuckin’ speak. I know you got it bad for your first piece of dick and all, but you better get yourself under fucking control and I mean right-the-hell-now. I won’t tolerate your goddamn tantrums in my interrogations, Syn.” God’s low growl was intimidating.
“Wait a minute, God,” Day chimed in, his tone soothing and calm. “Don’t you think it’s fair to hear his side?”
“Fine. What’s his damn side?” God barked, his green eyes sparkling with anger.
Everyone fell silent. Syn scratched the back of his head. Day’s brow scrunched in concentration, obviously neither of them able to concoct an excuse that was good enough to condone Syn’s outburst. God waited impatiently, one eyebrow cocked.
“Okay,” Day drawled out. “Back to your side, God.”
“This is no time to be a wise ass, Day.” God glared, turning his attention back to Syn. “Despite your vomiting insults at that girl, you better hope she’s still willing to talk because if I miss the chance at that dealer, y’all are going to see me get very angry. Then I’m going to take it out on your ass Syn, and not in the way you’d like.” God turned and went back into the room without letting Syn say a word.
Syn ran his hand through his hair, tugging on the length at the top. “Damnit. I fucked up.” Syn said between clenched teeth. “Fuck, man. I’m sorry, Day.”
Day continued to watch through the one-way window. God and Ro were back to negotiating with Sasha after apologizing for Syn’s behavior. Syn was saying a silent prayer of thanks that their suspect was still talking about a deal. Syn dropped his chin to his chest. He felt Day’s hand squeezing his shoulder.
“Don’t beat yourself up too bad Syn. We've all been there,” Day whispered, his eyes still watching Ro write down all the information for their next bust. “Go on home, we’ll finish up here. Strategy meeting at 0700 sharp.”
“I don’t need to go home, Day. I’m good,” Syn argued.
Day finally turned to look at him. “Syn. Go home. It’s not a request. The fear of almost losing someone you care about and then being able to stick it to their attacker is a hard opportunity to pass up. Have a stiff drink, go to bed, work it out of your system. We’ll handle all the details in the morning.”
Syn turned to leave. Before he rounded the corner, Day called out to him.
“Hey Syn.”
“Yeah.”
“The whore whisperer?” Day laughed heartily. “Classic dude.”
Syn couldn’t stop his leer. Leave it to Day. He turned the corner and made a beeline for the back doors, not really in the mood to run into anyone for a stop-and-chat. When he was finally outside he’d realized he’d ridden in with God and Day.
Damnit.
Syn went back inside to his office and grabbed a set of keys off the board for one of the team's SUVs. He quickly signed his name and hurried back through the bullpen. He didn’t stop and breathe until he was barreling down N. Decatur Blvd. toward Emory Point. He needed Furi.
‘Clash of the Friend and Lover’
By noon, Furi had already turned off his cell phone after receiving the fifth threatening text message. Fuck. He knew who it was. Goddamn him. Should’ve known he wouldn’t bow out gracefully.
“Furi. Are you even listening to me?”
Furi’s head shot up at Doug’s loud voice. “Y-y-yeah, I’m listening.”
“Soooo. Receptionist or no receptionist?”
“Umm. Even though we have it in the budget to hire a receptionist, I think we should just buy a good office phone system for now, have cordless receivers around the shop and let the mechanics take turns answering the phones. If it gets busy fast, then we’ll hire someone.” Furi checked off a few notes, flipping through a ton of other papers they had spread across the six-top table.
Right after Syn left this morning, Furi went to wait across the street for Doug to pick him up for the meeting with their new property manager. Both of them were buzzing with the anticipation of finally being able to make their dream a reality.
They’d found Jase’s Auto Shop almost six months ago. Anytime Furi needed specialty parts for his school assignments, that’s where he’d end up. Furi really liked the guys who worked there; they were friendly and talented as hell. It reminded him of his dad’s place. When Jase said he was retiring and selling the place the following year, Furi and Doug immediately jumped on it. Jase’s was a great location in a prime area of Atlanta with very loyal customers. The work the man did was nothing short of phenomenal. Definitely some of the best auto repair and customizations in the state. The seventy-five hundred square foot space had a decent size waiting/reception area, a detailing space, two offices, a fully equipped garage with five bays, four of them with lifts. Although it’d taken them an extra nine months to save the deposit needed for the lease, they knew it’d be worth it. The great news was Jase was willing to offer them an excellent price on his entire inventory, too.
They’d been at IHOP for the past three hours since they’d signed their lease. The garage was theirs, jointly owned, fifty-fifty. Now they were hashing out important details with their new manager and two assistant managers on grand opening ideas, staffing needs, inventory, permits, customers, etc. They’d decided to open in thirty days. The garage was already fully functional, so all they required were the new licenses, setup of some of their newer tools, and enough time to run a two-week grand opening ad. During the last week, they’d have the place professionally cleaned by industrial specialist, all the new furniture brought in, including Furi’s father’s bike, which would sit on a raised platform in the window – it was sure to intrigue passersby. Furi and his dad had completely rebuilt and tricked out the bike before he passed. It was the last project they worked on together. Furi was having it shipped all the way from his grandmother's in Florida, the only place he knew it would’ve been safe.
“Furi, this place is going to be fuckin’ awesome man. I already got people lined up. Are you sure you don’t want to open up the auto detailing portion?” Doug asked taking another sip of his third cup of coffee.
“I think it’s a good idea to open it, Furi, since it was the most popular service Jase offered. We don’t want to lose his client base,” Roderick, one of the assistant managers spoke up. The older man was a brilliant business major from Morris Brown College. There wasn’t a business related problem he couldn’t solve.
“Alright,” Furi agreed. “We can give it a try. But that means hiring a few more guys.”
“Let’s hire two experienced detailers and get some senior year interns from the Vo-Tech school," Roderick suggested. "I can start the paperwork on that immediately. They could do it for the experience and we’ll get a tax break for participating in a non-profit educational program.”
Doug smiled, “Nice thinking, brainiac.”
“Well, I think that about raps up this meeting. Let’s meet at the shop tom–” Furi stopped midsentence, when he noticed two uniformed police officers staring at him. Doug turned and looked.
“Are they looking at you, Roderick?” Doug asked.
Roderick dropped his pen down on the table, throwing his hands in the air exaggeratedly. “Why the hell would they be looking at me, Doug? Because I’m the only one in here with a damn record? Nice, man, real nice. That really hurts.”
“Jesus, Rod. Ain’t’ no one trying to hurt your sensitive-ass feelings. Tell me, how’s your vagina feel, did that get hurt too, you fuckin’ wimp?” Doug rolled his eyes, looking back at the cops that were still staring in their direction.
“Calm down guys, it looks like they’re looking at me.” Furi began to gather his papers, keeping an eye on the officers, one of them talking on a cell phone now. “Let’s just go.”
“Something you need to tell us, Furi?” Roderick asked while gathering his own belongings.
“No, Rod. Look, I’ll meet you guys tomorrow at nine.” Furi got up, tossing the rest of his papers in his book bag. He was hoping that the cops weren’t there to question him about his ex getting the shit beaten out of him. He wondered how much damage Syn did. He’d assumed the man had used some restraint since he was a police officer. Furi pulled out his phone and turned it back on.
“I’ll drive you home, Furi.” Doug stood beside Furi openly glaring at the cops. “You think this has anything to do with Illustra?”
“I don’t think so,” Furi whispered.
“Why are you whispering?” Doug said loudly, making the couple in the next table look over.
“Will you shut up? Come on, let's just go.” Furi pulled out a few bills and tossed them on the table. He waited on his three new hires to pack up their stuff, and he followed them to the front door.
“Excuse me, sir.” One the young officers put his hand up to stop them. “Are you Furious Barkley?”
“Maybe. Maybe not. Is there a problem, officers?” Doug stepped in front of Furi.
“Damn straight there’s a problem.” Syn stepped inside the door, yanking his dark aviator glasses off his face. The scowl he wore told Furi this was not a pleasant coincidence. “Thanks guys, you can go.”
Furi stood with his mouth hanging open while Syn dismissed the officers.
“Seriously, Starsky. You gonna track my boy down every time he leaves the house?” Doug said angrily, still blocking Furi.
“He’s not your boy. And what I do regarding Furi is none of your goddamn business.” Syn’s clenched jaw made his words sound like an evil hiss. He shouldered past Doug and got directly in Furi’s face. “When I’ve been calling him for over six hours and he hasn’t picked up or returned any of my calls, I’ll send a fuckin’ SWAT team to find him if I want to.”
Syn spun and pointed his finger in Doug’s face, “That’s my say, not yours.” Syn’s voice was rising with his growing temper, and all eyes were on them.
“Okay, let’s get out of here.” Furi pushed at both men, urging them out the door.
As soon as they were out in the brisk fall air, Syn rounded on Furi, pushing their chest together. “Where have you been, Furious? I’ve been going crazy trying to check on you, and you’re sitting here casually eating pancakes,” Syn growled.
“Hey, back up, man.” Doug tried to wedge in between Furi and Syn.
Syn looked up in annoyance. “Doug, I swear, if you touch me, I’m gonna ensure that you never regain the use of that hand.”
“Okay, okay.” Furi put both hands flat on Syn’s chest, feeling his rapid heartbeat underneath all that muscle. Fuck. He really was scared. What was I thinking turning off my phone with everything that’s going on? “Syn. I’m so sorry. I turned my phone off because–”
“You don’t owe him an explanation. You’re a grown man, Furious. You were having a business meeting; he has no right to demand you be available to him at all times, just like Patrick.”
Furi and Syn both snapped at Doug. But Furi took control. “Hey! Don’t you ever say that again. This man is nothing like that asshole.” Furi shook his head at the absurdity of Doug’s accusation. “Don’t even say his name in the same sentence as Patrick’s.”
Doug looked at Furi as if he were a stranger.
“Doug, you don’t know everything that’s been going on. But I promise I’ll catch you up, okay? Then you’re going to feel pretty shitty about what you just said about Syn.” Furi nodded his head. “Go home. I’ll call you when I’m back at Syn’s place.”
“You’re staying with him?” Doug yelled.
“Doug. You know it’s not safe at my place,” Furi said softly, his eyes pleading with his friend for him to understand.
“Then you should come to stay with me. I don’t trust this guy!”
“This is fuckin’ crazy,” Syn snarled. “I know you’re his friend, but you’re sounding more pissed than a friend should be.”
“Don’t try to read me, Detective. Furi is my best friend, and I’ve had his back since the first day he got here.” Doug wasn’t backing down from Syn’s intimidating posture. Syn’s dark glasses were back on, creating a perfectly badass look with his black leather coat and boots. All the hardware Syn had tucked under his arms and the shiny badge hanging around his neck was a sight right out of a sexy cop porno.
Syn stepped into Doug’s space. “Furi is mine to protect. He’s with me now, like it or not.”
“If it wasn’t for you–”
“If it wasn’t for him, I’d be dead right now, and this conversation would be moot,” Furi said, cutting off whatever Doug was going to say. Furi ignored Doug’s questioning look. “I will call you okay? And I’ll fill you in.”
“I’ll make sure I’m close by when he does, so you can apologize to me, dumbass,” Syn grumbled.
“Fuck you.”
“Oh, now you want me too.” Syn barked a laugh. “I thought you were straight.”
“Syn,” Furi snapped. “Knock it off.”
Syn took Furi’s backpack off his shoulder and slid it on to his own. He intertwined their fingers and Furi couldn’t ignore how much he liked that gesture from his tough Sergeant. Doug still stood very close to Furi, watching them both through narrowed eyes.
“Stop looking like that,” Furi whispered.
“Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” Doug whispered back.
Furi turned and looked behind him at Syn’s ruggedly gorgeous face then down at their joined hands. He turned back to Doug’s concerned eyes. “Yes, I do.” Furi leaned in and chastely kissed Doug on the lips and watched him turn and leave.
When Furi turned back, Syn was wearing a large frown and his chest was frozen like he was holding his breath. Furi got as close to Syn as he could. “What’s the matter?”
“Don’t do that again.” Syn’s voice was rough and low.
“Do what?” Furi frowned in confusion.
Syn brought his free hand up and wiped the pad of his thumb across Furi’s full lips. “Don’t put your lips on him again.” Syn shook his head when Furi opened his mouth to argue. “I know it was friendly, and it didn’t mean anything, but humor me, okay? Don’t put your mouth on his. Syn leaned in and pulled Furi’s bottom lip into his mouth and gently sucked on it, right there in the IHOP parking lot. “Only I get to taste these pretty lips,” Syn moaned inside Furi’s mouth.
